The Frenchman had claimed Mourinho’s reluctance to declare his side as title contenders was down to a "fear to fail” - a criticism which led Chelsea boss to denounce his rival as "a specialist in failure”.

During pair’s feud in Mourinho’s first spell at Stamford Bridge, the Portuguese had labelled Wenger a "voyeur" and the Chelsea boss still believes Wenger has an obsession with the club.

“He loves to look at this football club,” Mourinho said when asked if Wenger’s comments annoyed him.

“I thought between 2007 and 2013 that would be enough time for him forget but he always likes to look at this club.

“Am I afraid of failure? What is that? I believe at the end of the day I'll be seen as the 'impolite guy', the one who's aggressive in his words. But I'm not.

“He says we are afraid of of failing - failing at what?

“If you don’t win a title in one year is that failure? If you don’t win a title in two years is that failure?”

Wenger has not won a trophy since the FA Cup in 2005 and Mourinho maintains he would not tolerate a similar run in charge at Chelsea.

“I have lots of respect for him, and he’s a great manager, but when he speaks about failure, failure is not to win a title in seven or eight years in a big club - that’s failure,” said Mourinho.

“You dedicate yourself to the club, the project and the collective dream. If you don’t get results, that’s football.

“If I don’t win a trophy in four years I don’t want a new contract - even if the club wants to give me one. It’s as simple as that.

“For my mentality, I think there is a limit and you have to be strong enough and proud enough to admit when it’s enough.

“The club gave me four years. That’s the period where I want to get results.”